Have you ever heard of the term Yandere? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. In recent years, this term has become increasingly popular and has been featured in various forms of media, such as anime and video games. But what does it mean? In this article, we’ll dive into the meaning of Yandere, its origin, and how it has become popular in recent years.
What is Yandere?
Yandere is a Japanese term used to describe a character that is initially very kind and loving but eventually becomes unhealthily obsessed with someone else. It’s a portmanteau of two Japanese words: Yanderu, which means “to be sickly in love”, and derriere, which means “lovey-dovey”. This type of character is often portrayed in anime, manga, and video games.
Where Did the Term Yandere Come From?
The term Yandere originated in the late 1990s when it was used to describe a character in the popular manga series, Fruits Basket. The character was a shy girl who eventually became obsessed with the protagonist and went to dangerous lengths to get their attention. Since then, the term has been used to describe similar characters in other media, such as anime, manga, and video games.
Why Has the Term Become Popular?
Since its inception, the term Yandere has become increasingly popular in recent years. This is due to the rising popularity of anime, manga, and video games, as well as the increasing awareness of mental health issues and the need for better representation of mental illness in media. Yandere characters are often portrayed as sympathetic or misunderstood, which can be a powerful way of addressing mental health topics in a more accessible way.
Examples of Yandere Characters
One of the most popular Yandere characters is the protagonist of the video game Yandere Simulator. In this game, the player takes on the role of a high school student who is secretly obsessed with their senpai. The player must eliminate competition for their affection while maintaining a façade of normalcy.
Other popular Yandere characters include Yuno Gasai from the anime Future Diary, Junko Enoshima from the video game Danganronpa, and Shion Sonozaki from the manga and anime series Higurashi When They Cry. These characters are all portrayed as initially kind and loving but become unhealthily obsessed with someone else.
Yuno Gasai
Junko Enoshima
Shion Sonozaki
How Yandere Characters are Viewed
Although Yandere characters are often portrayed as sympathetic or misunderstood, they can also be seen as dangerous and unpredictable. This is because they often resort to extreme measures to get what they want. For example, in the anime Future Diary, Yuno Gasai commits numerous murders to win her senpai’s affection.
In conclusion, Yandere is a Japanese term used to describe a character that is initially very kind and loving but eventually becomes unhealthily obsessed with someone else. It is a portmanteau of two Japanese words: Yanderu, which means “to be sickly in love”, and derriere, which means “lovey-dovey”. The term has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the rising popularity of anime, manga, and video games, as well as the increasing awareness of mental health issues and the need for better representation of mental illness in media. Although Yandere characters are often portrayed as sympathetic or misunderstood, they can also be seen as dangerous and unpredictable, as they often resort to extreme measures to get what they want.